SNOW AND RAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 169, 1 May 1935, Page 3

SNOW AND RAIN

STORMS IN AUSTRALIA. REMARKABLY COLD SPELL. A remarkably cold spell was experienced in New South Wales and Victoria recently, and was accompanied by heavy rain in many areas. Snow, sleet, and frosts occurred at several places, and temperatures were at low levels. At Sydney the lowest temperature recorded in April for 71 years was experienced on April 14. Considerable snow fell at Mount Kosciusko, Charlotte Pass, Kiandra, and at other places on the Southern Alps. Residents of Tumut were amazed early one morning when snow commenced to fall there for the first time in 38 years. Following a stormy night on April 12, the weather was unsettled at Sydney during the following week-end. In termittent rain and thunder occurred, and cold, squally westerly winds prevailed at times attaining moderate gale velocity. An appreciable fall in the temperature occurred during the night of April 13, and at 5.35 a.m. the next morning the minimum reading of 45.7 degrees—the lowest since 186-1 —was recorded. Losses of Orchardists. Bleak conditions continued for several days and further snowstorms were reported on the highlands and in many places further frosts and sleet occurred. Snow fell at places on the southern and central highlands including Oberon, Taralga, Nimmitabel. Kiandra, Alount Kosciusko and Charlotte Pass. At Batlow, as a result of an unprecedented April snowstorm, forest and orchard, trees suffered severely and extensive losses to orchardists were feared. It was thought that it would take years for fruit trees to regain their bearing capacity. A number of roads in the district were rendered impassable and the telephone service was disorganised. So heavy were the falls of snow on the Bogong Ranges, to the west of Mount Kosciusko, that cattle which had been placed there for summer pasturage were likely to perish unless their owners succeed in removing them.

Shipping Hampered. Boisterous winds, low temperatures, snow on the highlands, and falls of rain elsewhere marked the period in Victoria. A southerly gale swept the coastal region and south-eastern part of the State, and shipping movements were disorganised by heavy seas and squalls along the coast and baysidc districts. Snow was reported at Alount St. Bernard and at Alount Hotham. The temperature was 2 degrees below freezing point at one period. Light snow aliTo fell at Alount Buffalo, but ram thawed it, The strong south-westerly gale hampered shipping in the bay and Bass Strait. At Williams town difficulty was experienced with the Japanese freighter Alansei Alaru when she was leaving her berth at Nelson Pier. Iwo tugs were worked for more than two hours to swing her, and she was turned twice before the bow was final y brought round. About 12 cattlemen, who had been mustering stock for a week were fogbound on the snow-coyered Bogong high plains -and were unable to leave their tiny huts. Their food was believed to be running short. All of them were experienced stockmen, but unless some word was heard from them it was decided to send them supplies. Because of the snow, fog and freezing temperatures, their plight at the time was serious, but they reached safety.

Mustering of Large Herd. The stockmen included Messrs Walter and Sydney Ryder, Benjamin and Raymond Cooper, E. Turner Robert Reid J. Roper, John Victor and Thomas Maddison. Most of the men left about a week previously to muster a herd of 10,000 cattle which had crazed on the pastures since the end of October. There ar<§ several huts on the plain and the fog-bound men had not been able to move outside for at least four days. During that time there was a heavy faill of snow on tho plains, end a message from Towonga stated that it was three feet deep on tlio higher levels. ‘ The annual round-up of cattle on the Bogong Plains is part of the 1.10 of th north-eastern stockman, lhe cattle ai taken to the plains towards the one m October when most of the winter sn lms melted. Thousands of head iioni & Ovens, Kiewa and M.tta M.tta Valleys are driven to the ».« ££ tures 4500 ft above sea level. Betoi Se next winter 20 or 30 stockmen gather tlie stock. This year the eaily snow and fog caught the cattlemen un-

Fortv relief workers were marooned for three days in two feet of snow with tents which had collapsed m ? Wizzaid, at Lee (Springs, 30 miles fiom Ca berm They had to live under the most conditions until an expedi Don from the Department of the Inteiioi UJt “ a rwn* Franklin which will eventual y pio winter sports for the residents of the Federal Capital.